Chapter 2

Owwww. What truck hit me and where do I get their number?

Cliche it may have been, Ichigo Kurosaki awoke to a blinding pain in his head. Like someone had...clubbed him over the head. Damnit.

Groaning in a mix of pain and frustration, the teenager rolled over onto his side. It had been going so well too, until Rukia's brother showed up. He hadn't even seen the man move, before he heard the Zanpakutō scream in pain. Seen his white blade shattered into pieces. So casual. Like the man wasn't even trying.

Not even an ounce of real effort and all the training he had done, all the fighting he had done, was pointless.

"That was not your fault, Ichigo. If it was anyone's fault, the fault was my own. I...I…"

As the voice trailed off in his head, the young teenager snorted softly. When had he become used to the idea of a woman talking in his head? Ah, whatever. More importantly…

"Don't blame yourself. I was an idiot back there. Besides, we beat that pineapple up real good, didn't we?" Ichigo couldn't help but smirk past the ringing in his head, at the image of Renji Abarai so thoroughly defeated.

It had felt good, after what the bastard did to Rukia and Uryuu.

Somehow, he got the feeling that Sode no Shirayuki was smiling. "You are correct, Ichigo. It did feel...enjoyable."

"Hell yeah, it did."

Unable to keep the smirk off his face, the Substitute opened his brown eyes. All he saw in front of him was a plain white wall. A very, very plain wall. Well. That wasn't any help at all. Rolling over again, Ichigo blinked when his eyes moved from a white wall, to a man dressed in white.

White over black.

With stupid things in his hair.

"Byakuya Kuchiki." Sode no Shirayuki whispered in his mind, as if he could forget. That man had taken him apart so easily...how could he forget?

"I see you are awake," the Shinigami spoke, his voice soft as velvet. Deep too, for his pretty boy looks. "I have to congratulate you, boy. Even though he was limited, you were able to press my Lieutenant."

Ichigo just stared, working his jaw slowly. He wasn't expecting that. "Come again?"

Kuchiki's expression didn't even twitch, though Ichigo got the feeling he was smirking somehow. "Few humans would be able to do that, boy. Even fewer would survive the process of becoming a Substitute. Illegal as that process may be."

"It's not like we had a choice."

There hadn't been much of an option. It was do or die.

For what it was worth, Kuchiki did not dispute the point. He merely inclined his head slightly, and rose to his feet. Damnit, even that was graceful. All smooth movements and easy gestures. The tall man strode over to a window looking out of the room, staring up at what seemed to be cherry blossoms falling past it.

"Rukia informed me of that." Kuchiki seemed to be talking to himself, not even bothering to look back at the teenager on the bed. "I know my sister, boy. She would never lie about such an important event. However, I find my hands tied."

Turning his head slightly, the Shinigami narrowed his grey eyes. Even if his voice remained smooth and toneless, it didn't take a genius to tell the man was angry.

"What she has done is considered a grave offense by the Soul Society. It may well lead to her execution."

Ichigo returned the stare, even as his mental 'voice' rose up against it. And towards the Zanpakutō living in his head. "...is he telling the truth? What kind of fucked up law is that?"

Sode no Shirayuki was silent. When she did reply, her voice was subdued and quiet.

"I...he is telling the truth. You must understand, Ichigo. Giving powers to a human breaks every spiritual law there is. Humans are not supposed to be involved in the afterlife while they still live. The Quincy…"

"God, forget the Quincy." Ichigo was still a bit sore about Uryuu. And the reminder that the Shinigami had basically wiped out an entire race just because they wouldn't listen. He didn't need to hear it again. "It's totally different. I'm using Shinigami powers, aren't I? That doesn't mess with the balance of souls or whatever it was."

"No. However, the laws are in place for a very good reason. If humans are casually given po-"

The Zanpakutō was cut off, as Kuchiki turned fully from the window and stared at his prisoner. His expression remained stubbornly the same, even while he walked over towards Ichigo. Said teenager stared back, crossing his arms over his chest and scowling. Which was about the usual for him, of course, but it was the principle of the matter.

He didn't have to be happy about being stuck...wherever it was that they stuck him.

"Think what you want about me. I have, and will always, follow the law." Kuchiki returned Ichigo's scowl by simply raising an eyebrow. Nothing more. "If Rukia is to be executed, I will follow the law even then."

"You bas-" Ichigo uncrossed his arms, and started to rise to his feet.

Only for a pressure to fall on him. Kuchiki had only lifted a single hand, and Ichigo felt as if someone was pushing down on him. A giant crushing him beneath its foot. An ant looking up at a human. He couldn't even raise his head from the bed it had been pushed into. How was he-?

Kuchiki's voice had turned cold as ice, when he spoke again. "I do not expect you to understand, boy. However. You are in a position that may change the result. I have brought you here, so that you may testify in Rukia's defense. So that we may discover just how you have come across the ability to use her Shikai."

Dropping his hand, and releasing the pressure on the teen, Kuchiki actually sighed. He looked away from Ichigo, and moved his eyes towards the wall instead. As if he couldn't look.

"What you have done is unprecedented. Impossible. Until we know more, you must remain here. You are fortunate, in a way." Kuchiki continued to move, spinning on his heel and moving towards a door that Ichigo only now could see. "For if you were not unique, it is likely you would die as well."

Kuchiki seemed to have nothing to say, continuing to march towards the door. Ichigo watched him go, sucking in deep breaths, until the man was gone.

Letting out a groan of mixed pain and annoyance, the teen rolled onto his back and stared up at the dimly lit ceiling. What in the world was he going to do now? He couldn't just leave. Even if he wanted to, he wasn't about to leave Rukia behind. How could he? Her own goddamn brother was willing to kill her.

What kind of messed up hellhole was the Soul Society, where an older brother would kill a younger sister?

"Ichigo…" Sode no Shirayuki began, only for the teenager to cut her off.

"Don't. I don't care what his reasons are. If I have to beat it into his head, I will." Ichigo glared at the roof, clenching his hand in the fabric by his side. Nothing made him more angry than this. Nothing. "I'm not going to let him get away with that. A brother protects their sister, they don't kill them."

Ruki...no, his Zanpakutō was silent.


"The meeting is called to order." An elderly man, bowed with age, stomped his cane into the floor. "Captain Kuchiki, you may begin."

It would be a fool who looked at that man and judged him by his appearance. Captain Yamamoto of Squad One was, perhaps, the most powerful being in existence. At least, that anyone would ever see. Age may have bowed him, but it had not lamed him. If the Head Captain felt like it, he could kill every single other Captain without effort. Or so the tales went.

Byakuya Kuchiki, young by the standards of a Captain, had never seen Yamamoto release his power. He hoped he never did, deep down where none could see his thoughts. Not even his own Zanpakutō.

"As you wish," still, he inclined his head slightly. Respect was given where earned. And none doubted this man deserved respect. "As I am sure you are all aware, my Lieutenant and I were assigned to retrieve my wayward sister from the World of the Living."

A snort came from the usual source. Zaraki, sticking a finger inside his ear. His scarred and brutalized visage twisted in disinterest.

At least he kept silent.

"The mission was routine, until the boy used a most unusual power." It did not stop Byakuya from glaring at the other Captain, though it did exactly no good. Inwardly sighing, he turned his gaze back to the Head Captain. "It is well known that a Substitute's powers and abilities are not their own, but those of the Shinigami who gifted them their abilities. However, they have never demonstrated an ability to truly control those powers."

The first to pick up on what he was saying was unexpected. Captain Aizen, pushing his glasses up his face slightly, as his brown eyes widened in shock. "You can't be serious, Captain Kuchiki."

Byakuya inclined his head again, "I am quite serious. The boy, a human using borrowed abilities, has somehow learned the name of my sister Rukia's Zanpakutō. He has used her Shikai in battle."

There were no gasps of shock. Not even the youngest of the Captains would do that. However, there were other signs of shock. From slight fluctuations in power, to narrowing or widening of eyes. Even the Head Captain was not immune, his grip tightening ever so slightly upon his own blade, hidden inside the cane in his hands.

"This boy...he used Rukia's Zanpakutō?" Jushiro Ukitake was the first to speak up. Unsurprising, as he was Rukia's Captain. "You are certain?"

"I would recognize Sode no Shirayuki, no matter who it is using her blade."

Murmurs responded to that, before Captain Kurosutchi leaned forward. His painted face was grinning ear to ear, and his eyes were practically dripping with desire. Byakuya did not need to fight down a shudder. He was used to this man, and his...flaws.

"That is fascinating. Is the boy still alive? I can learn so much from such a unique specimen," Kurosutchi was practically rubbing his hands in glee. Even if the boy did not possess Rukia's Zanpakutō, Byakuya would never allow this man near him. Or anyone.

"Yes. However, I have taken him under the protection of the Kuchiki Clan, for the duration of Rukia's trial." Byakuya easily ignored the disappointment flashing across his fellow Captain's face. Rather more important was the widening of Ukitake's eyes. "I intend to question the boy, and learn how he has used her Shikai. As well as understand what drove Rukia to give him her powers."

Silence greeted his words. It was understandable, in a way. He was not the type to bring someone who had harmed his family into his protection. Far more likely he would merely kill the boy.

However.

The boy saved Rukia's life. And I cannot risk the loss of her Zanpakutō, by attempting to remove it from his soul. I have little other choice.

"Ya know...if I didn't know better, I'd say you're gettin' soft, Kuchiki." Gin Ichimaru grinned over at Byakuya, tilting his head like the snake he so resembled. "So, do ya think the kid actually knows anything?"

Byakuya raised an eyebrow, "If not the boy, then Sode no Shirayuki."

Murmurs again. Sajin Kommamura, face hidden as always, the most vocal. "He must be punished."

"If he didn't steal Rukia's powers, what right do we have to punish him?" Ukitake, soft-hearted, protested that. Even though it was his subordinate in trouble. "He is human, first and foremost. It likely wasn't even his fault."

Shunsui Kyoraku nodded along with his friend, "Can't say I disagree. Old Man Yama, what do you think? Aren't we supposed to just remove his powers and let him go?"

Yamamoto had been silent up to that point. His eyes looking at the floor, clearly deep in thought. He didn't even react to the raw display of insubordination that was using that nickname. Then again, expecting Kyoraku to do anything else was a lost cause.

When it became clear that the Head Captain was not going to say anything, however, Captain Aizen stepped forward again. His kindly features staring over at Byakuya with what looked like pity in his brown eyes.

"I understand why you have done this, Captain Kuchiki. Would it be at all possible for me to meet the boy myself?" Aizen smiled gently, idly brushing his hair back a little. The man couldn't look angry if he tried. "I am curious about him."

Byakuya narrowed his eyes anyway, "Not until I have questioned him myself. I hardly desire the boy to get ideas about convincing another Captain to help him."

That statement was clearly directed at Aizen and Ukitake. Neither man had it in them to look affronted, of course. Aizen merely shook his head sadly, and stepped back into his spot in the line.

"If that's what you want." He replied, without any bite to his words.

With silence once again falling on the Captain meeting, the Head Captain finally looked up from the floor. His eyes met those around him, all of the Captains deferring to him.

Even Byakuya. The power of the Kuchiki Clan was mighty. Yet, all bowed to the Head Captain. If he chose to take the boy, there was realistically little that Byakuya could do about it. Even as the head of the most powerful Noble Family in the Soul Society. It was just how the land was run, and there was nothing he or anyone else could do about it.

"The boy will not be punished, as of now." Yamamoto's deep voice rumbled over the meeting room, as his eyes settled on Byakuya. "Captain Kuchiki, you may interview the boy at your leisure. However, I will be seeing him myself. If this boy is another Kūgo Ginjō…"

The Head Captain didn't need to finish his sentence. Every single Captain flinched slightly, and turned away. Lost in their own thoughts.

The first Substitute. Byakuya did not need to hear that name. If the boy had been the same as that man, he would have killed him on the spot. Yet...he was not. All indications said that the boy had never intended to take Rukia's powers. That, alone, was enough for him.

"I understand, Head Captain." Even so, he inclined his head, and acquiesced to Yamamoto's request. He could not, would not, refuse it. "I will prepare for your arrival, whenever you choose to come."

"Hmph!" Yamamoto nodded back, and stomped his staff on the floor again. "This meeting is adjourned."

The other Captains took that as a signal to filter out. Most returned to their own Squads. Some went to train or patrol. Byakuya Kuchiki?

He went to where his sister was being held. He would ask her about the boy, before he returned to question him. He found himself…

Curious.


In the World of the Living, things were not nearly so calm. An otherwise unassuming little shack was wracked with confusion, as a man paced back and forth so much he may have put a groove into his wooden floor. He had been planning events for well over a decade. Sure, he had adjusted those plans. He hadn't expected them to go as they had, in some ways.

What had happened the previous night, however, was far...far...from what he had wanted.

I never expected Kuchiki to do that. I never expected Ichigo to use another Zanpakutō. I want to kill him, but I also want to study him.

The man, one Kisuke Urahara, grumbled under his breath. The scientist inside him was jumping at the chance to study something so unusual as Ichigo Kurosaki. The warrior inside him was chomping at the bit, screaming that he had to personally go to the Soul Society and drag that idiot out, and damn the consequences.

His logical side was stomping both of them into the ground.

"Breathe...breathe…" Urahara stopped moving, and looked down at his hands. Right. "This may not be a bad thing. Ichigo needs every power he can get, and I can't deny having two Zanpakutō is powerful."

Assuming he could use both of his blades. Who even knew at this point?

"I need to get him out and away from Aizen, though. If Aizen gets ahold of him…"

It didn't bear mentioning. Aizen was a bastard, through and through, and would use Ichigo for his own purposes. Not that Urahara wasn't doing the same thing, but he was at least doing it to help. Aizen would just do it to make himself more powerful.

He shuddered at the thought of Aizen figuring out a way to steal a Zanpakutō or something on those lines.

"What are you doing, Kisuke?" A male voice spoke up, with a distinctly feminine tone to its annoyance.

Urahara spun around, grin crossing his pale face, "Ah! Yoruichi! I was wondering when you would get here."

A black cat stared up at him, judgmentally, "You called me here, Kisuke. When I was about to talk to those kids you wanted me to train."

"Details." Urahara waved his fan, before growing somber. "Yoruichi...we may have to do a bit more than we planned."

"...what did you do now, you fool?" The cat was certainly judging him now, jumping up on the table to stare into his eyes.

"Nothing I did!" The ex-Captain protested weakly. He didn't even bother turning it into a joke, when he looked at his oldest friend. "You knew Byakuya Kuchiki, right?"

Yoruichi nodded slowly, "I did."

"So...why would he take Ichigo alive, back to the Soul Society?"

If it were possible for a cat to sigh, Urahara got the feeling his old friend would do it. He also got the feeling of pain that was her claws scratching across his face, prompting him to yelp in pain and fall away from the table.

It was their game.

It took nothing away from how serious the situation was, when they started to figure out just what the hell they were going to do to recover from this...


Apologies for the delay. Work has been kicking me up and down the block, and writing has been...kinda low on the priority list. That said, I'm adjusting. Hopefully it won't take as long for the next one.

I will say, though, that if you expect my old 4, 5, 6, 7k chapters? Not likely. I tend to write what fits now, instead of word padding. So 2500-3k words is much more my average.